Muncie Police looking for man reportedly touching women in stores

The Muncie Police Department is looking for a man who has reportedly been inappropriately touching women in stores within Delaware County.

From the reports, Muncie Police Cpt. Joe Todd said the individual always has a cell phone in his hand as if he’s talking to someone on the phone. The individual then approaches a woman who is by themselves and asks for directions to another store. He then makes excuses to touch the hair and body of the victim.

Todd said MPD has received reports at different Muncie stores including Target, Meijer and Wal-Mart. He said MPD received a report from an occurrence at Meijer in Anderson.

Todd said if the person approaches you, or if a similar situation like this happens, contact someone immediately.

“Notify someone in the store right away,” Todd said. “And then call for the police right away.”

Since the first report, Todd said 10 or so other individuals have reported that the person in question had also assaulted them, some incidents going back several years.

Todd said MPD contacted the prosecutor’s office who said situations like these usually result in a battery charge, which is a Class B misdemeanor. While Todd said MPD usually doesn't Class B misdemeanors, he said this case is an exception because it has happened to so many people in the community.

“I don’t know if it’s going to continue to grow,” Todd said. “I think most people who saw it on the news last night probably would have already called us.”